Previously we talked about NVIDIA Ion platform that able to boost up high graphics performance, now the General Manager of Nvidia MCP business unit has just confirmed more details and showcased the prototype of upcoming Pico-ITX reference platform featured with 9400M chipset and Intel Atom processor targeted for netbook market. According to Drew Henry, the first Ion-based reference design will be available by June this year at a price point of USD299.

The price range is quite reasonable since it is still in early prototype stage and we should expect it to be lowered once the product is ready to mass production. Besides, Nvidia 9400M is definitely a much better chipset as compared to current Intel recommended 945GSE chipset to be paired with Atom N270 processor in terms of graphics and multimedia performance. It is believed that the new pairing solution, initiated by Nvidia will able to deliver 5 times much faster graphics processing as well as 10 times video hardware decode capability as compared to Intel flavored 945GSE chipset.

Henry further disclosed that this Ion based platform has been certified with Microsoft WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) with Windows Vista capable due its excellent graphics capabilities. Some may interested whom the board vendor that able to get their first board up, however, Nvidia continues to keep this as secret until their official launch by mid of this year.